"I once went through books and wanted to understand what philosophers said about life. Some of them saw everything as dark. "Since we are nothing and we will reach zero, there is no room for joy and happiness during our temporary life on earth," they said. I read other books, written by wiser men. They were saying: "Since the end is zero anyway, let us at least be joyful and cheerful as long as we live." For my own character I like the second view of life, but within these limits: A man who sees the existence of all mankind in his own person is pathetic. Obviously that man will perish as an individual. What is necessary for any man to be satisfied and happy as long as he lives is not to work for himself, but for those who will come after him. Only in this way can a man of understanding act. Complete pleasure and happiness in life can only be found in working for the honor, existence and happiness of future generations."
Quote Details
Added by wikiquote-import-bot
Unverified quote
0 likes
Original Language: English
Available Languages (1)
Sources
Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, during his conversation with Romanian Foreign Minister Victor Antonescu on 20 March 1937
https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Life
Revision History
No revisions have been submitted for this quote.
Categories
Life
743 quotes on TrueQuotesView all quotes by Life →
Related Quotes
"Elämä o itkua ja kirvee hijomista. (Savonia) (KNM)"
"Ei elämä irvistellen somene. (Suoniemi, Tavastia) (SSP)"
": The game of life looks cheerful when one carries a treasure safe in his heart."
"Sein Spruch war: leben und leben lassen."
": His saying was: live and let live."
"From a boy I gloated on existence. Earth to me Seemed all-sufficient and my sojourn there One trembling opportunity f…"
"Tota vita nihil aliud quam ad mortem iter est."
": The whole of life is nothing but a journey to death."
"Vita, si scias uti, longa est."
": Life, if thou knowest how to use it, is long enough."